The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorised deposit money banks to begin charging fees for unstructured supplemental service data transfers straight from users’ mobile airtime.
According to an email sent to customers by United Bank for Africa on Tuesday, the charges will no longer be debited from their accounts.
The UBA stated that the directive will take effect on Tuesday, June 3.
The statement reads, “In line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), please be informed that effective June 3, 2025, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted from your bank account.
“Going forward, these charges will be deducted directly from your mobile airtime balance in accordance with the NCC’s end-user billing model.
“Under this new billing structure, each USSD session will attract a charge of ₦6.98 per 120 seconds, which will be billed by your mobile network operator.
“You will receive a consent prompt at the start of each session, and airtime will only be deducted upon your confirmation and availability of the bank to fulfil this service.
“If you do not wish to continue using USSD banking under this new model, you may choose to discontinue use of the USSD channel.”
UBA stated that users can continue to use other digital banking solutions, including the internet banking platform, for convenience.
The commission’s latest directive could be another step towards resolving the long-standing USSD payment issue between mobile network operators and commercial banks.
In December 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the NCC asked mobile network operators and DMBs to settle the long-standing N250 billion USSD debt.
Following threats by telecoms to remove services due to bank debt, the NCC threatened in January to stop the USSD service and publish a list of banks still owing telcos.
On January 15, the regulator ordered telcos to disconnect the USSD numbers allocated to nine banks by January 27 due to outstanding obligations.
On February 28, MTN Nigeria announced that it had received N32 billion, out of a total of N72 billion, from banks as settlement for the USSD debt.
